Tasty Dishes & Enticing Cocktails

I began my search for the tastiest dishes of the year by sifting through my photos starting in January. However, by the time I reached the month of June, I had already chosen 30 different tantalizing feasts for the eyes! How to choose?

Be honest, do you want to see that many of my “highlights”? I don’t believe so. Therefore, I carefully looked for colorful, unique meals and surprisingly incredible drinks that are worth celebrating once again. A few of them are favorites due to their unique nature or element of surprise!

I have narrowed down this list to a more manageable number and I hope you enjoy revisiting them as much as I do!

Maui

We began a very ambitious travel year with a relaxing, mostly rainy, week in Maui. However, we raised a toast of Piña Coladas on a delightful, sunny afternoon by the pool. Cheers!

Oh, my dear, these are the best crab cakes on earth. Doesn’t the lovely plate and vibrant blue tablecloth put it over the top? Many of you have enjoyed Mama’s Fish House, in the small town of Paia and I know you feel the same way about this unique Hawaiian restaurant. The location looks like the set of a movie, and although pretty pricey, the food is fabulous!         

Iceland

Best Experience Ever!

With so many memorable adventures, our trip to Iceland remains one of the most out of the ordinary tours we have enjoyed. From the astounding natural wonders to petting wild Icelandic horses and an exquisite black sand beach with completely clear, faceted icebergs. The driver of our tour bus brought back a mini glacier rock where centuries-old ice was chiseled and added to our Bourbon Old Fashioned. Mic drop.

Also, we tasted the global favorite Icelandic hot dog from a cart in downtown Reykjavic. I am not a big fan of hot dogs, but Craig and our friends Danny and Drew from Collette sampled them for me. They unanimously agreed the dogs were delicious!

North Dakota

Does North Dakota come to mind when you think “fantastic food”?  Maybe not, but we sure had an amazing dinner where the steaks were cooked in hot oil on pitchforks! Always looking to find adventure in everything I do, I was shocked over the preparation of these steaks! Click here to read more about my trip to North Dakota – I was so impressed!

Italy

It is nearly impossible to find a favorite dish in the gastronomically superior country of Italy! I narrowed it down to these few, with still a dozen more I could share. Please say a prayer for our friends in Italy; the virus is indeed causing havoc with the travel industry.

My divine trip to Italy began with a culinary tour with Oldways. We were joined by chefs from SRV in Boston, MA. We took several hands-on classes while on the road in Verona and Northern Italy. This risotto below is soft and gooey with fresh peas and ham. I can never get enough gelato and in Italy, it is a 3:00 pm required refreshment stop.

A Road Trip in South Dakota with Awesome Food!

On our empty nester road trip through South Dakota, I was traveling with some very adventurous eaters! Watching someone else eat a Bison burger was just what this non-Bison eater needed. I do appreciate that many people love to eat different sorts of animals, but I will stick with the standard fare. Troy thought his enormous burger was outstanding.

Breakfast in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Our first time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, will not be our last. This spectacular city is the kind of place I could stay for quite a while. With the Grand Tetons looking over your shoulder, the upscale restaurants excellent shopping and chic locals, it was my kind of place. This lovely laid-back town has a movie star vibe, and I kept looking for Kevin Costner to be sitting at the next table.

An LA dinner with friends Tammy & Steve

Close to home in Los Angeles, we enjoyed an eclectic meal with dear friends. LA is the foodie town of towns right now, and we are investigating as many restaurants as we can! Otium has been around for a while and serves consistently delicious and beautifully prepared dishes. Sharing is a must!

More Italy

Because well… there’s always more Italian food that needs revisiting!

Kansas City, Kansas Food Tour

Did you know that Kansas City, Kansas is a fabulous food town? We spent a day and a half sampling and sipping through this fascinating city. I have never been a fan of boba, but we visited this colorful little Boba Blend, and I am a convert now! Their recipes were smart, fresh and tasty, not to mention Insta-worthy!

Pasadena Masters of Taste

As a firm believer in dining with loved ones, we spent an afternoon with my parents at the Masters of Taste in Pasadena. On a warm Sunday afternoon, we tried lots of different restaurant samples and a few kick-ass cocktails. Do you have food events in your area? The Event Brite website usually has a long list of them.

Seattle

My list of Seattle favorites is very very long. The talented chefs maximize the local PNW ingredients and create inventive dishes. We look forward to our frequent visits here.

However, at this moment in Seattle, the corona-virus might be destroying the restaurant scene. Office buildings are shut down and most people are working from home so no one is going out to lunch and dinner. I feel terribly for the workers who don’t have customers to serve and small businesses that are suffering.

I have received many emails from local Seattle restauranteurs and chefs sharing the safety precautions taken in their restaurants. 

Japan

If you have been following my travels, you will know that I absolutely adore Japan! In addition to the intriguing history and spectacular architecture, the authentic local cuisine is fresh and healthy. 

To narrow down my favorites in Japan is impossible, so I just offered up three photos. The dessert below was so pretty, you couldn’t believe you could eat it! Shabu Shabu means “swish swish” in Japanese. The server heats up boiling water and dips our veggies and meat in the hot water to cook them. So good and so fun!

Two last photos of my food experience in Japan

While staying at the famous Park Hyatt in Tokyo I enjoyed a very fancy meal on the 52nd floor with a view of Tokyo and devoured the best dessert and cappuccino of my life!

Why do I take photos of my food? 

I have been doing this for years! Way before Instagram was a national past-time, my feverish, food photography was commonplace. The dazzling colors and presentations always make me smile, and I captured them for my enjoyment and reference. 

I now do this as part of my job, lucky me. Do you use Instagram to look for popular restaurants and dishes? When I am preparing to visit a new city, I always search for the hashtags that will help me find the most delicious and talked about places. Also, I search for blog posts that reference my destination. Our dining life has been saved on many of our trips because an avid food photographer took a great photo of a tasty-looking dish or meal. 

Check out my Instagram account @suzannestavert and my brand new one @theadventuresoemptynesters for food photos and adventures!

How was your 2019? What were your tastiest dishes of the year? Do tell!

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 Is there really great food in Kansas City Kansas? Absolutely!

We discovered unique handcrafted cocktails at The Mockingbird Lounge, artisan popcorn at Velvet Creme, the BEST tacos, and authentic family owned and operated established restaurants that will wow every single visitor. All coupled with the nicest people I’ve met in a very long time!.  Have you made it over KCK?  (BTW, all the cool people call Kansas City Kansas, KCK)!

Our friends at Visit Kansas City treated us to a thoughtfully planned, 1 1/2 day-feast, filled with tastes from bakeries, to snack foods, cocktails to bbq.  Since I had never visited Kansas before, this fun foodie trip checked one more state for me to almost complete my visits to all 50 states.

I traveled with good friends Ann and Steve Teget from Postcard Jar and with new friends Tim Wassberg SIRK TV, Nedra McDaniel from Adventure Mom and Stacy Brooks from Tangled Up With Food. Maila Yang and John from Visit KCK kept the van cool and all of us on schedule because we had a lot to see in a short amount of time.

Our lodging was hosted by Chateau Avalon Hotel and Spa where my room had a hidden door behind this library wall which led to my British inspired bedroom.

As you read on down our list and realize we nibbled, tasted, toured, observed and ate some more, you might be alarmed our tummies were just too full, but don’t be, we all survived our food extravaganza with smiles and appreciation. We may have needed to take a breather here and there and we did that as well!

With an 8:30 am  start time we began with breakfast at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant – A hometown favorite where a tiny train delivers your tasty breakfast in its tiny little rail car. Great for kids and adults who feel like kids. We all got a huge kick out of this railroad themed restaurant and the diner breakfast meal was delish.

Was it lunch yet? How about an early lunch? Not quite, let’s stop at family owned Krizman’s Sausage where the sausage is in the spotlight and not an after thought. Excellent, high quality ingredients where happy and handsome men (can I say that?) create this very popular KCK deli delight. In December, the line is out the door for their traditional ethnic sausages that families enjoy for the holidays.

Now Lunch?

El Pollo Rey is a casual, muy popular lunch and dinner spot with a small but fantastic menu. Diners go there for the grilled chicken, pinto beans, rice and soft tortillas. OMG was this good. I was sorry that I couldn’t eat more, we had multiple stops still ahead! Yikes. I could have ended here a happy camper. The relaxed, come as you are, casual stop was my kind of food and reminded me of what I might find in Los Angeles.

But there’s more!

Are you a spicy food lover? How about hot sauce fanatic? We toured (our lips are sealed, no secrets shared here!) Spicin Foods to see this enormous operation where they make hundreds of types of hot sauce, specialty sauces, salsas and snacks. My crew at home was so jealous! I cannot handle spice, but I watched and asked questions of my foodie tour mates.

Our very own Adventure Mom tried the hottest of the hot sauces with no issues at all. However hot sauce makes her hiccup and she gave us quite the show. Hilarious and so fun!

It’s BBQ Time!

With so many options for KC Barbecue it is a tough job to choose where to go. We had a great time talking with Marisha Brown-Smith at Rosedale Barbecue, whose parents started this very popular family establishment in 1934. We were served literally piles of delectable meats and sausage with all of the tasty side dishes too. Sides like gooey potatoes, house made dill pickles, slaws, beans and even fried green tomatoes have now become as popular as the meats they support.

At 1889 Pizza, not only was the pizza the most authentic West of Naples, Italy the interior design was elegant and welcoming. This is not your typical pizza place. I wish they would open one in Los Angeles!

Cocktails and more great food in Kansas City Kansas

No foodie tour would be complete without an excellent handcrafted cocktail. In my opinion, Kansas City is as hip as any other big city with innovative cuisines, lively bars and artisan coffee like we tasted at Splitlog Coffee.

Beer & Pinball at the “Barcade”

Not really knowing what I was doing… I had a blast playing pinball and trying the local beers and cider at 403 Club.

More snacks and treats to be found in KCK

Last two stops…

Did you know you could find a winery in Kansas? Yes you can. We enjoyed our time at Rowe Ridge Winery and getting to know Pam Rowe and hear about her passion for making wine.

Final Thoughts

Was I full? Yes. Was it worth every calorie, heck yes. Was I introduced to a long list of delightful, delectable, savory and sweet bites I had never ever tasted before? Yes, at 15 different stops. The foods, dishes and drinks we tasted were handcrafted, made with love, heart and probably a little sweat. The owners care deeply where their ingredients come from and for the careful execution of family recipes used for decades. Every package, every box, every plate has been created under the watchful eye of these professionals. Everyone cares, everyone wants their customers to enjoy every single bite or sip. I find this philosophy heart warming and refreshing. These are the types of people I want making my food and serving my meals.

Did I know that KCK was such a foodie town? I had an idea they had great food in Kansas City Kansas, but truthfully did not know to this extent!  Thanks to Maila and her team, I was able to be led around by the taste buds sampling these tasty foods just for you! My list is long, but it will certainly narrow down the possibilities for you on your next visit to Kansas City, Kansas. Don’t have any plans to visit now? Make some, I promise you will love it!

Another Foodie Tour in the Midwest – A Delicious Walking Tour in Chicago!

Let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram – Hope to see you there!

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An Epic Trip to the Bourbon Trail

A trip to the Bourbon Trail… is this on your list too? Ever since our grown kids came home from college loving this delicious brown spirit, I have been paying attention. Truthfully, at the time of their discovery, I was still favoring the ubiquitous Cosmo. I then moved on from the Cosmopolitan to a vodka martini which was made up of  “Chopin, up, two olives and a twist.”

However, in the last year, my favorite adult beverage is now a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, because I love the aroma and smooth flavor of a good quality bourbon.

This leads me to the story of our most recent vacation, an adventurous trip to the Bourbon Trail. We began our tour in Louisville, Kentucky, traveled over to Lexington, KY and then finished our trip in Nashville, Tennessee. Not surprisingly, it was one of our favorite trips in years!

What is this trail?

Kentucky Tourism offers an itinerary that is centered around Louisville. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, created by the Kentucky Distillers Association has also created a tour that would easily please every palate. It is a combination of large and small distilleries, small batch & craft distilleries, some that were established in the last ten years and others that were started in the last century.

The tour is filled with quaint small towns, kind people, enthusiastic bourbon drinkers, fun bars, speakeasys and a fabulous food scene. For hipsters to empty nesters, a trip to the Bourbon Trail is an awesome adventure. We were once again traveling with “The Travelers” and this foursome includes, my husband Craig and friends Troy and Brad, and we have all been friends since we were too young to drink!

For the past several years we have created vacations that have had something for everyone. We began our traveling journey together in Montana, we then vacationed in Oahu and attended a spectacular farm to table dinner where Jurassic park was filmed and this year we enjoyed two different trips. A road trip through South Dakota which included Mount Rushmore and Deadwood, drove all the way across the state of Wyoming, ending with a stay in Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. Now the Bourbon Trail!

The itinerary for our trip to the Bourbon Trail

In order to get the best out of the time we had together, I did a lot of research. It was one of my more time intensive itineraries and I plan to share it with you. You’re welcome. I was traveling with some passionate bourbon enthusiasts and I wanted them to have a blast.

I made a list of the all of the brands of bourbons that I knew we all loved and sent it to the guys to ask them to rank which were their choices for tours.  Based upon work and time constraints, we had scheduled one day in Louisville and two nights in Lexington and 3 nights in Nashville, (which is not really the Bourbon Trail).

I then needed to figure out where each of the distilleries were, if they had tours, what time the tours were, how long they were and their location. Next up was to decide which spot to visit and try to guess just how long we would linger at each location. Can you feel my anxiety?

I will say that I wasn’t the only one doing the planning, both Troy and Brad added their individual sleuthing skills to our bourbon adventure. Craig was supportive as well, but left the planning to the professionals.

We took a super early flight from Los Angeles, but due to connecting flights, didn’t arrive until 3:00pm EST.

First evening in Louisville… Dinner and a speak easy… SO.MUCH.FUN

Dinner at Pizza Lupo

Brad, our “Hysterical Reference Manager” who is always on the hunt for the most talked about, most delicious dinner place, hit it out of the park with this charming and popular restaurant. Pizza Lupo is located in Butchertown, an up and coming hip area of Downtown Louisville. The oysters were ridiculously amazing and the pizza was divine too!

Drinks at Hell or High Water – Speakeasy

What a highlight! Troy, another one of our intrepid traveler partners, decided to investigate the best speakeasy in town. He found it! It was dark, divine and cozy, but not conducive to great photography. Hell or High Water is “The Cocktail Lounge for Curious Spirits”.

Day One – Louisville, KY

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

The one thing I knew for sure was that we all wanted to tour the Louisville Slugger Factory and I snagged the first available tour on our first day in town. And here we go!

An absolute must for any baseball fan and anyone who loves history. It is so well organized and the tours were fun, colorful and fascinating. (I honestly think that even if you don’t understand baseball you would LOVE this tour). The museum memorabilia is astounding! Bats used by the most famous players of all time are there to see and sometimes touch.

Lunch – Only steps from Louisville Slugger is Mussel & Burger Bar and it was the perfect place to grab a delicious bite and get ready to taste bourbon.

Rabbit Hole Distillery

Rabbit Hole Distillery is a bourbon and whiskey distiller inspired by modern approaches to whiskey making. Their motto: “There’s no going back.” The money and energy that it takes to start a distillery is like going down the rabbit hole. “There’s no coming back!” Super clever.

The tour was informative and the tasting room was like an art museum with a cocktail bar. The views from the enormous glass windows were spectacular and the bourbon was super tasty.

Angel’s Envy

According to our friends at Angel’s Envy, “We’re restless creators who respect and celebrate the bourbon tradition, but try not to shackle ourselves to it. We approach each spirit that we finish with a craftsman’s passion to experiment and improve”.

Housed in a renovated and historic building, this stop was a favorite as well.  Antique brick walls, high windows, and a two story copper still were just a few of the highlights. At the conclusion of the tour, we hung out in their cocktail bar where only visitors touring the facility can enjoy.

Fun Fact:

The “angels share” of the bourbon barrel is the bourbon that evaporates while aging.

Lexington

We drove from Louisville to Lexington next and it was only about an hour away.

Dinner at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse – Lexington

This high energy, upscale steakhouse was the place to dine and be seen. The décor is over the top opulent and the food and service were excellent. We were amazed and delighted by it all.

Day Two

Wild Eggs

Here we met my new friend Heather Sunseri and her husband Mike for a wonderful breakfast. Heather is a fellow empty nester blogger as well as an accomplished novelist. She kindly offered her suggestions for our Kentucky itinerary from a local’s perspective.

What a treat for us to devour a fantastic morning meal with local authorities! It was so fun to get to know each other and trade empty nester and travel stories. Her Kentucky suggestions were spot on and some our favorite experiences!

To check out Heather’s Blog, go to Empty Nest Nirvana  and to find her collection of novels, visit her website: HeatherSunseri.com

Woodford Reserve

Next stop: Woodford Reserve! At Heather’s suggestion we took a scenic drive through the Keeneland Horse Farm and were able to see the extraordinary landscape and of course, the magnificent horses and racetrack.

In my personal dream of what I thought Kentucky would be like or what a classy, historic distillery would embody, Woodford Reserve delivers all of this. In 1812, Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey here and then years later Master Distiller James Christopher Crow perfected the whiskey making methods that they employ today. Rolling hills, horses grazing, miles of fences, beautiful trees – yep this is it.

Castle and Key

Castle & Key is the newly restored Taylor Distillery and it is beyond magnificent. Heather suggested this visit and we think it was our favorite of favorites. Funny thing is that they are so new that their bourbon isn’t even ready yet! They do offer an herbal forward, gin and vodka that are fantastic!

The grounds are spectacular and as you tour, the guides dive back into the history of prohibition and the wealthy entrepreneur who built the original property.

Back in 1887 Colonel Taylor built the natural spring in the shape of a keyhole because this mineral rich, iron free water was the “key” to the success of his bourbon. Castle and Key has so many beautiful spots to see, a renovation that will blow your mind and I know you will enjoy it. We can’t wait to go back when the bourbon is ready.

The Stave

Our one BIG fail was that we didn’t stay here at The Stave for drinks and lunch. On the bank of  Glenn’s Creek, this adorable and popular bar and burger spot is just minutes from Woodford Reserve and Castle and Key. Next time!

Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace is a favorite of many people and we stopped there on our way home from Castle and Key. But it was like walking into Bourbon Disneyland in not a good way. So crowded, there were people everywhere and we couldn’t leave fast enough. Sorry if BT is your favorite, but we were still savoring our day of quiet, spectacular distilleries with gorgeous grounds and peaceful surroundings.

Honeywood

Our delicious dinner was created by well known Kentucky Chef, Ouita Michel at Honeywood. Her use of locally sourced foods both helps sustain Bluegrass family farms and provides her customers only the freshest, best-tasting fine cuisine. We sampled several fantastic dishes.

Day Three

Mammy’s Kitchen in Historic Bardstown

What a hoot! Mammy’s is a barnyard themed and very popular restaurant in the tiny historic Bardstown. We ate a Southern brunch and loved it all. There are many distilleries in the area you could visit here but we ran out of time.

Heaven Hill Distilleries

This was our final distillery tour before heading to the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and down to Tennessee. Heaven Hill Distilleries have been family owned and operated since 1935 and they are part of the Official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. At the Bourbon Heritage Center there are two tours, the Mashbill Tour or Connoisseur Tour.  The Kentucky Bourbon Trail offers a tiny book with all of the participating distilleries listed and you can stamp your Bourbon Trail passport. More touring, more tasting, more fun.

Our favorite things from the trip:

Craig’s Favorite – Louisville Slugger, Angel’s Envy, Wood fired oysters at Pizza Lupo

Troy’s Favorite – Dinner at Pizza Lupo, Angel’s Envy, Hell or High Water, Jeff Ruby’s, Castle & Key, The Stave, drive through Keeneland Horse Farm, Woodford Reserve

Brad’s Favorite – Jeff Ruby’s dinner and eclectic dining room, our short time spent at The Stave, Historic Castle & Key Distillery

My Favorite – Castle & Key, meeting Heather, Hell or High Water, Woodford Reserve, Kentucky landscape

Final Thoughts

Each distillery tour tells their own personal story and how they create the very best bourbon and whiskey. Most of them are housed in a historic building and they enthusiastically welcome each guest. Your biggest problem is deciding which to visit and just how much bourbon you can consume.

We were not sure how many days we felt comfortable tasting, but we all agreed this itinerary was the perfect “cocktail” of history, Bourbon Trail, great Southern dishes and time spent in the car. We now know that a return trip is a must and it will allow us to swing by the distilleries and numerous restaurants we missed this trip

Delicious and exciting Nashville, TN was next… Stay Tuned!

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A Spectacular Road Trip Through South Dakota

Our road trip through South Dakota was way bigger and way grander than we ever imagined it could be. I was in Medora, North Dakota (another place you should visit) to attend a travel conference. So because the Dakotas are so close to each other, our vacation plan was to visit Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, explore the other areas of the state we were familiar with like Custer State Park and enjoy the beautiful panorama.

What we didn’t realize was just how spectacular this South Dakota scenery would be! The sheer size (242,756 acres) and vastness of the South Dakota Badlands absolutely blew our minds. Located in southwest South Dakota, this national park protects buttes and pinnacles along with the largest mixed grass prairie in the United States.

Our plan

We took the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, which is roughly 40 miles of a two lane road which takes you along these craggy, pale, sandy canyons that look much like the surface of a barren planet. The loop takes about two hours depending upon how often and how long you stop.

At times there were greener areas and even some were dotted with wildflowers, but the striation of the sandstone, wildlife like bighorn sheep and bison, created this incredible landscape unlike anything you have ever seen in your life.

You can almost feel the slow erosion of the canyons as the winds swirl about you and the photographic possibilities are stunning. Depending upon the light and shadows, the view could be entirely different from day to day or even hour to hour. I loved it!!

A Visit to Wall Drug

You can’t go to virtually any place in the Midwest or beyond without seeing a billboard or sign of Wall Drug. Anyone who has taken a road trip through this area of the country knows exactly what you mean when you ask, “Did you go to Wall Drug?”

The story of Wall Drug is this: “Ted Hustead was a Nebraska native who opened a tiny drug store in Wall in 1931. Five years later it was still a tiny drug store. Dorothy, Ted’s wife, thought that the people driving past must be thirsty, and suggested that Ted put up a sign on the highway advertising free ice water at Wall Drug. It sounded silly — at the time every drug store gave away free ice water — but Ted put up the sign anyway. By the time that he got back, thirsty tourists were lining up for their free ice water. They’ve been stopping ever since.”

Over a million people each year visit this huge tourist attraction and nearly 20,000 on a summer day. Although it is kind of cheesy and kitschy, it was still a super fun, nearly inexplicable place where you can buy everything from toothpaste to cowboy boots and enjoy a soda fountain, a piece of blueberry pie and the “famous” free water. We saw scores of tour buses packed full of happy tourists ready to stop, shop and nosh on the goodies at Wall Drug.

We walked about rather aimlessly, the place is enormous and goes on and on with connecting doorways, western décor and lots of historic photography as well. It’s all quite different, but worth the stop. At least I thought so. Craig, not so much.

Final thoughts about our road trip through South Dakota

Many people seem to leave The Dakotas for last when trying to visit every state in the US. I think that is a BIG mistake. This area of the country is spectacular and nature is so enormous you almost can’t believe it is real. Postcard perfect views are seen in every direction and the nicest people are there to make sure you enjoy their hometown. Seeing the US by car is so much more personal than flying from big city to big city. Our South Dakota road trip enabled us to experience the beautiful landscape and to just take our time. We seem to rush through everything these days so I was pretty happy to slow down in surroundings like this.

Our time in Mount Rushmore was patriotic and moving and we even visited the famous Deadwood, SD (loved that too). My advice is to fly in to Rapid City, South Dakota and take a road trip to see this gorgeous and unique state. I have no doubt you will leave there as enamored by it as I was.

Let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram

More about The Dakotas

My Visit to Medora North Dakota & Why You Should Go Too!

A Visit to Sylvan Lake: Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me About This Place?

A Visit To Mount Rushmore: It’s Even More Spectacular Than You Imagined

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Our Visit to Sylvan Lake, The Needles Highway and Crazy Horse

I kept thinking, “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me about this place?” Nearly speechless, I stood silently in awe. I knew the landscape was created by nature, but it was just so unusual, with the staggeringly huge rocks, so smooth and perfect it looked like a ride at Disneyland. How could this be real?

In addition to being blown away by the natural elements of the shores of Sylvan Lake, we also arrived just after a small rain shower and the sky was mostly clear and the lake like a mirror, not a ripple. The mirror image of the enormous boulders above and below on the water was magical.

We stopped here at the lake on our drive through Custer State Park in South Dakota on the Needles Highway and throughout the drive the landscape was absolutely remarkable.

Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills. The park is South Dakota’s largest and first state park, named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. Sylvan Lake was created when Theodore Reder built a dam across Gulch Creek. Thank you Mr. Reder!

Visitors can fish, hike, swim, camp and stay in the Sylvan Lodge. We stayed for a couple of hours and just hiked around and took it all in. The super fun trails with stone nooks and crannies, made us feel like we were kids again.

After our visit to Sylvan Lake, we continued on the winding Needles Highway to find this ….

This rock formation is other-worldly! The Needles Highway leading to this granite spire is within Custer State Park, 14 miles long and built in 1922.  It is a super winding, scenic route that is worth the Dramamine. (Yes I took it)

The “Needle” sits at the entrance to the Needles Eye Tunnel. The immediate area is full of cars and people taking photos of this natural wonder! How I managed to take a photo without a tourist is a miracle. As for the tunnel, it is also like the eye of a needle. In order to drive through it, you must know just how wide your car is and then wait your turn so each side may drive through. You can literally touch the walls as you drive through this tunnel. Another wild ride in South Dakota.

Check this out! Only 8’4” wide! I got this in one take and made everyone be silent in the car!

Our road trip through South Dakota was unlike any trip we have ever taken. Our primary interest had been to visit Mount Rushmore and everything else would just be the whipped cream on top, but holy cow, we had no idea how spectacular the rest of our drive would be.

We continued on to the vast and spectacular Badlands and again were impressed beyond words. How can this be? How did this get here?  The Badlands go as far as the eyes can see. I will create a photo essay for you from our tour there. OMG it was a miracle of nature. Here is a preview photo. We loved it here!

A Visit to Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Monument is a massive sculpture under construction in the Black Hills of South Dakota, not far from Custer State Park. It was created to depict the Oglala Lakota Warrior, Crazy Horse. The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski began the monument in1948 and his wife Ruth and family have continued the project after his death. It is the largest sculpture every created. The head is 30 feet taller than the heads at Mount Rushmore and when complete will be taller than the Washington Monument. The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is privately held and has never accepted federal funds.

You can see a replica of the proposed finished monument here. Obviously there is a long, long road ahead for the sculptors, but it will be magnificent when it is finished.

Final Thoughts

Our visit to Sylvan Lake was such a delightful surprise. I tried to research as much as I could, but Custer State Park is so full of amazing sites, I missed this one. However in my defense, no one has EVER mentioned or described this beauteous place to me before. Why not? Why are the travelers in my circle not visiting here? Since I posted a few of these photos on Instagram, a small handful of accomplished road trippers enthusiastically high fived me for going. But wow, this area of the US is worth a planned vacation. It’s spectacular!

Truthfully, I am really not a road tripper, nor camper, but I stepped out of my typical itinerary and was rewarded with views I never knew existed. We were certain that our road trip through South Dakota would be “pretty” and enjoyable. It was nothing of the kind. Every outing was like Christmas and every turn on the road was like opening another precious gift.

Let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram

More about South Dakota:

A Visit to Mount Rushmore is More Spectacular Than You Can Imagine

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Smithsonian Magazine listed Pawhuska, OK as one of the 15 Best Small Towns in America to Visit in 2019

Our visit to The Pioneer Woman Boarding House

It is kind of surreal, but I am actually typing this introduction as I look across the aisle of my plane to Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. Yes it’s true, she is on our flight home to Los Angeles. Check my Fairy Tale Ending at the bottom of the post for more details of our encounter. Our visit to The Pioneer Woman Boarding House in Pawhuska, OK was a gift to my husband’s mom, Claudia and it was an adventure of epic proportions. Please read on…

Here’s the back story:

Let me go back to the beginning… My mother in-law’s favorite show in the world is The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network. Claudia has watched this show since the beginning and has enjoyed following Ree’s children grow up on the show and to see Ree become a world-wide favorite.

My good friends and colleagues Ann and Steve Teget of Postcard Jar, have written many times about Ree’s new hotel called The Boarding House and are the real experts of Pawhuska, Ok and all the fun things you can do! There are only 8 suites at The Boarding House, so a reservation can be quite a challenge. But 14 months ago Ann let me know that she heard that new dates were opening up for 2019. I was fortunate to get two suites for two nights. So for over a year, Claudia has been waiting patiently and with great anticipation to receive her 85^th birthday gift, but it was so worth it!

Our luxurious stay at The Boarding House

Where do I begin? With so many beautiful amenities the list of “loves” is long from our stay at The Pioneer Woman Boarding House. Honestly, I think the personal touches were the most impressive. The color coordinated, fresh flowers in our exquisitely designed suite, the kind and friendly staff, chewy chocolate chip cookies on the nightstand in the evening and freshly baked scones and hot breakfast tea arrived at our requested time. Everyone made you feel welcome and there were numerous offers to help and to make reservations for our meals.

Claudia’s Suite

Here’s my inside scoop for your visit to The Pioneer Woman Boarding House and surrounding activities.

1. If you really want to stay there, you need to check the website often (or even daily) to look for cancellations. They do happen all the time and The Boarding House is already booked through 2020.
2. Eating at The Mercantile – If you stay at The Boarding House, they will make reservations for you for any meal and hotel guests get priority. However, since there are only 8 rooms, odds are that you will be visiting Pawhuska, OK and coming for a day trip or staying at an Airbnb nearby.
3. Hot tip: You can come by and put your name in at The Mercantile Restaurant and then go sight-seeing and shopping in the local shops. There can sometimes be a two or three hour wait to have a meal at The Mercantile. So why wait around?
4. Check the website to see when The Lodge is open. This is the guest house on the Drummond Ranch where Ree films her popular Food Network show. Check below for more details!

The Lodge

Our special time here was such a treat! In order to visit The Lodge, you must visit The Mercantile first thing in the morning to get your free ticket and directions to The Lodge. The ticket is good for just the one day. My recommendation is that you go to The Mercantile early for breakfast, get your ticket and go visit The Lodge when it opens at 9:00am. This is an extremely popular vacation destination and the crowds can get very large.

The Mercantile

Next door to The Pioneer Woman Boarding House, The Mercantile (the cool people call it “The Merc”) is chock full of lovely, homey, colorful dishes, pots, pans, dish towels, books, clothing, baking equipment and home décor. She offers items that you won’t find any where else. Even if farm/ranch décor is not your thing, believe me, you will find something you want! I bought six, black and white ice cream bowls and Ree’s autobiography “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels”.

Upstairs in The Merc is the bakery and you don’t want to miss this! Check out these delicious treats!

Oh! And we ate some very tasty dishes too!

A Special Airbnb Called Postcard Place

I know that it is a challenge to obtain a reservation to stay at The Pioneer Woman Boarding House, but that should not keep you from visiting. I also think a day trip is just not enough time to soak in and enjoy everything this small and charming town of Pawhuska offers.

Lucky for us, my friends opened this adorable Airbnb called Postcard Place where you can stay and relax with all of the comforts of home, in this cheery renovated craftsman home which is just minutes from downtown. Actually, Ann and Steve have thought of everything. My own home is not as well equipped as Postcard Place. While I was there we filmed this little video to give you the inside scoop!

Fairy Tale Ending

The amazing ending to the fairytale weekend is this!  At the Tulsa Airport, Claudia went to go use the ladies room and I was making sure she made it there ok and was watching the entrance. Who walks out of the bathroom but Ree Drummond! I kid you not!! I had hoped that perhaps Claudia had met her as they were washing their hands, but this didn’t happen. I felt so bad that my mother in law missed this chance, but the glow of the entire adventure never dimmed.

As we got ready to board the plane, guess who was on our flight to Los Angeles!! Yes!

As I contemplated how I would approach this post I looked at the back of that pretty signature red hair of The Pioneer Woman and realized by accidentally meeting her, our adventure was all tied up in a neat little bow! We spoke to Ree and told her about our stay at The Boarding House, she asked us which rooms we stayed in and apologized for the lack of power in The Lodge because of the electrical storm. Claudia was thrilled, Ree was so kind and sweet and we could not have orchestrated a better ending to this two night trip to The Pioneer Woman Boarding House in Pawhuska, OK.

Final Thoughts

In the last few months, I have visited several small towns in the Midwest and have truly enjoyed each of them! The world is a very big place and it can be challenging to decide just where to visit. I like mixing it up and traveling to destinations I have not yet visited and to learn more about the area. Pawhuska, OK has a rich and unusual history and you can read more about it in this book Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. In the Fall director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio (you have heard of him, right?) will be getting ready to film the movie version of this incredible true story.

For lots more details of Pawhuska, check out this post

70+ things to do in Pawhuska after you’ve eaten at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile

Other Midwest Destinations

My Visit to Medora North Dakota and Why You Should Go Too!

A Visit to Mount Rushmore: It’s even more spectacular than you imagined!

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You may wonder why I decided to visit Medora, North Dakota. I am proud of my eclectic travel schedule and I believe that there is adventure to be found just about everywhere. Read on so you may understand a little more and also hear about an adorable place in the USA.

Adventures in North Dakota!

During my visit to Medora, North Dakota, the most adorable little town you have never heard of, I was frequently asked, “Why are you here?’ Fair question. I will tell you why.

I traveled to see Medora, North Dakota, a small town on the western edge of North Dakota that no one I know was familiar with. I liked that. It’s fun to be the first in your crowd to see something new and report back. We have all heard of Fargo, but Medora? Not so much. My first impression was that it was teeny tiny and felt like Knott’s Berry Farm, but real. I will explain.

In Southern California I grew up with three theme parks; Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm. Knott’s Berry Farm looked entirely different than Disneyland with a western theme and famous fried chicken and jam. But KBF was fake, just for fun and entertainment. What excited me the most about Medora was that it was really a western town. With genuine history, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, cowboy boots, authentic saloons and super nice people. I know that most of us do not step out of our travel comfort zone often enough. To gladly explore unfamiliar destinations, builds character and provides for some great storytelling. I was thrilled from the first moment I arrived.

My visit to Medora North Dakota was intentional, I was attending the Midwest Travel Conference, created by my friends Sara Broers of Travel with Sara and Lisa Trudell of The Walking Tourists. This conference was designed to bring together Midwest destinations with primarily Midwest travel writers, bloggers and videographers.

Do you need to be from the Midwest to enjoy traveling there? I think not. Because I was a travel writer from Southern California, other conference attendees asked the “Why are you here?” question. I love to #findadventure and seriously you don’t need to go too much further than North Dakota to find it!

I want my audience to see more of the out of the way cities in the US in addition to the extraordinary places I have been like Iceland, Italy and Hawaii this year. Peeking inside such a charming and likeable place put a smile on my face every morning.

Lots of fun things happened on my visit to Medora, North Dakota. The historic architecture was captivating, I watched new ways to cook steak, and there was quite a bit of western culture to learn.

My primary goal was to connect with everyone at the conference and to learn more about this historic town with a population of less than 200 people. There were several events sponsored by the Conference and their generous sponsors so there wasn’t too much time for me to explore more on my own, but we managed to fit in as much as we could. (Craig joined me near the end of the conference)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Bought some new cowboy boots! Of course!

I had an absolute blast choosing my new boots at Medora Boot & Western Wear. The gals in the store were so helpful and these two gentlemen offered their two cents as well. I want to thank Kim Colbert of Medora Boots for her superior service and vast selection of boots!! Check out their website and ship yourself some new boots!

The Rough Rider Hotel

Where luxury and comfort meet western charm! Named after the volunteer cavalry unit, led by our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Rider Hotel added an extra layer to this interesting and historic city from the 1880’s. This hotel is a must – stay! Also, as a total book nerd, I fell in love with the enormous stone fireplace and beautiful library. There are hundreds of volumes of one of the largest private library of books on, and by Theodore Roosevelt and we were welcome to enjoy them!

Steak on a pitch fork  – Steak Fondue

We were guests of the Conference for an enormous Steak Fondue Dinner. Stacked on pitch forks, the steaks are dipped in boiling oil (the fondue part) and are cooked until ready. What a sight!

Drinks in a real saloon – The Little Missouri

A Golden Sunset Trek to Elkhorn Ranch

“It was here that the romance of my life began” – Theodore Roosevelt, 1884

This walk out to Elkhorn Ranch was serene and the views were exquisite. We quietly walked about 3/4 of a mile along the well worn path while listening to our new friends and guides Mary Lou Tastad and Mike Kopp of Beautiful Badlands, ND as they shared the history of the area and the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s beginnings right here in this very spot. What a treat!

After his mother and wife died on the exact same day, the grieving Theodore discovered this ranch on the Little Missouri River where he built a small cabin and would sit on the porch to reflect, write and read. To stand where he stood on a quiet June afternoon, with the warm light of sunset on our faces, was an unexpected and rather dreamy experience.

This is what Theodore wrote about his beloved ranch: “My home ranch lies on both sides of the Little Missouri, the nearest ranchman above me about twelve and the nearest below me about ten miles distant.” Today only the foundation and a few stones remain of the cabin and in the quote below he captures the essence how he felt and how he loved the view from the porch.

“From the long, low veranda shaded by leafy cottonwoods, one looks across sandbars and shallows to a strip of meadowland, behind which rises a line of sheer cliffs and grassy plateaus.”

A Real Western Bookstore

We had a wonderful time visiting this unique bookstore and purchasing several books about Theodore Roosevelt and of the Marquis De Mores. Our shopping was made easy by such a knowledgable staff that was thrilled to share their opinions and to guide us through the incredible array of choices!

Ice Cream from Marquis De Mores Ice Cream Parlor – Delicious!

And Rodeo Queens!

Final Thoughts

Would I go back to North Dakota again? In a hot minute! This was one heck of an adventure! The atmosphere, the peacefulness, access to the North Dakota Badlands, the proximity to the intriguing bison and wild horses, the natural wonders, a fantastic hotel with tasty food, friendly people, all sitting at the doorstep of the most beautiful national park are just a few of the reasons.

The kind people at Visit Medora and North Dakota Tourism will welcome you with open arms and suggested itineraries. You will make a few new friends too, I guarantee it.

More of my travel of the Midwest and close by

An LA Girl’s First Trip to Nebraska, I Loved it!

Exciting Brand New Empty Nester Adventure in Montana

Picture Postcard Views of Glacier National Park

A Visit to Mount Rushmore, It’s More Spectacular That You Imagined

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A Visit to Mount Rushmore

Tomorrow is our nation’s birthday and besides slicing the watermelon and wearing red, white and blue, I will be thinking of how awestruck we were standing below the Four Presidents of Mount Rushmore, the friendly soldiers we met there and the Thomas Jefferson ice cream. Read on, it’s a great story. 

To find adventure is our personal mantra and therefore our travel plans are eclectic by choice. In just the first six months of 2019, we have been to Maui, Iceland, Seattle, Italy, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming! Pretty cool! But lately my curiosity for exploring more of our nation has intensified. I have visited 40 states thus far, so with ten left to go, traveling in the US is on my mind a great deal.

A North Dakota Adventure – Why?

Two travel writers and good friends, Sara Broers of Travel With Sara and Lisa Trudell of The Walking Tourists have created the Midwest Travel Network where destinations, CVB’s (Convention Visitor Bureau) and travel writers can connect, fostewr relationships and create partnerships.

The 2019 Midwest Travel Conference was in Medora, North Dakota. I know, I have never heard of this town either, but let me tell you something, I am smitten with this adorable western town. You will learn more about our fantastic experience in Medora in an upcoming post. As a sneak North Dakota peek: the vast landscape stretches as far as you can see, the area’s history and charm is palpable and we felt so welcome. I also bought adorable cowboy boots, of course!

Traveling with friends

This is our third trip with two childhood friends (trip #1 Montana & trip #2 Oahu) and we have fun discussing possible destinations and create itineraries where we want to find adventure next!  When Troy, part of our fearless travel foursome, learned I was going to North Dakota he exclaimed “I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota!” Therefore attending the conference in North Dakota was the catalyst for our South Dakota and Wyoming road trip. Hmmmm…. A plan was formulating.

Empty Nester road trip through South Dakota

After the conference, Craig and I met Troy and Brad at the Rapid City, South Dakota airport. (Nope, never been there either!) This large city sits by itself with not too much around but wide open space (except for Mt Rushmore). You will find a historic and charming downtown with eclectic shops and tasty diners. After a quick lunch and with no time to waste, we headed straight for our visit to Mount Rushmore. We had a monument to see!

Oh, Mount Rushmore

As you drive around the final bend in the highway before the exit, you see in distance the magnificent presidential faces so suddenly, it was like they dropped from the sky. So impressive! We had no idea what to expect, how large the sculpture would be, how far away we would be able to stand or how crowded it would be.

We wanted to experience Mount Rushmore in the sunshine as well as in the evening when the four faces are lit. Arriving at 6 o’clock, we explored the monument, hiked a little, and enjoyed an enormous scoop of Thomas Jefferson ice cream! The entire experience was delightful from beginning to end. Crowds were small and the monument was spectacular.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Thomas Jefferson is the first person in the US to have created a recipe for ice cream?

Fun Facts about Mount Rushmore:

We stood in awe of the engineering marvels! You should know that construction began in 1927 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the dedication of the Washington head was three years later. Considering the equipment was nothing like what we have today, it makes Mount Rushmore even more remarkable. Approximately 400 laborers, mostly unemployed, worked on it, there were few injuries and no deaths. The hourly pay range was from 35 cents to $1.50.

About 450,000 tons of rock were blasted from the mountain and the granite sculpture is a buff and cement-colored stone and from a distance looks one color. However as you move closer and hike underneath these great sculptures you can see the multi-striated stone. The stone is actually layered with different variations of the same hue.

The Lighting Ceremony

After consuming the enormous ice cream cones, standing under the noses of the presidents, talking with fellow tourists and soldiers, we waited for the lighting ceremony of Mount Rushmore. There is a dynamic, pre-recorded message that plays and explains why Borglum chose these presidents, significant historic references to their presidencies as well as other interesting facts.

At the conclusion of the message, we were asked to “Please rise and sing the National Anthem”. Every person stood, hats came off, hands covered hearts and we sang. When we finished, you could have heard a pin drop and many of us were wiping away a tear. It was so moving. I expected to enjoy seeing the enormous monument, but I did not expect to be so taken by it. I have read the stories of other writers and talked with fellow travelers and without exception, each of us felt the same way.

“Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away” Gutzon Borglum – Sculptor

Final thoughts on our visit to Mount Rushmore

I may have been a little sassy when I wrote earlier about visiting the Dakotas, but I will not make that mistake again. Wondrous North Dakota blew me away and I look forward to going back. I already have a plan in mind! South Dakota is not an easy place to get to if you live far away like we do. It doesn’t always seem to fit in to many road trips, but I think everyone should visit, it is quite remarkable!

Stay tuned, I have so much more to report from our trip to Medora, ND and our road trip through South Dakota and Wyoming.

Happy Fourth of July!

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Do you like to travel at the holidays ?

About three years ago, I sent out a request for all of you to share your favorite holiday destination. This collaborative post was super fun to do and I thoroughly enjoyed reading where YOU like to go!

I think it is about time we did this again!

What I am looking for:

• The name of the city you traveled to and two or three sentences describing why you enjoyed it there.
•  A photo of the city (with you in the photo if possible)
• A caption for the photo
• If you have a blog, please also include the name and URL

Don’t sweat the details, just email me the info and attach the photo and you will be included! Please send to me by 11/21/18.

Email: suzannestavert@me.com

I do like to travel at the holidays. I find it extra exciting and can absolutely feel a difference traveling in November and December vs. any other time of year.  I have a few tips that may help:

1. Be organized. Have all of your travel documents together.
2. Check in to your flight the day before.
3. If you are checking bags make sure you understand how to use the kiosks that are now at most airports.
4. Make sure you have luggage tags Check out ours here ==> AdventuresinTravel
5. Give yourself plenty of time for check in and security lines.
6. There are many first time fliers and travelers who rarely travel. This can frustrate the frequent traveler. Be kind.
7. Packing: Finish packing the night before. Do not leave anything until the morning of your flight. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you want to have complete focus to fix it.
8. Have your electronics charged and stowed in your carry on.
9. Do you have your ride to the airport decided? Give yourself plenty of time.
10. Have fun! Enjoy the lights, decorations and maybe get a Pumpkin Spice Latte!

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My first trip to Nebraska!

My first trip to Nebraska was such a delightful experience, that I am already planning a return trip for Craig to come with me. A good friend and fellow travel blogger, Sara Broers of Travel with Sara, told me about Plains Safaris, a Conference in Kearney, Nebraska focusing on ecotourism.

Nebraska? Hmm, I would have to think about that. I am passionate about nature conservation and always looking for a new adventure, so I took her advice and booked a ticket to Omaha and I was not disappointed. From beginning to end, I met warm, intelligent people who cared about the same things that I did and I learned so much in such a short few days. Check this out!

Look at this pretty landscape

The Crane Migration

Are you familiar with the Crane Migration? No? I wasn’t either. But it is BIG, really big. Over 300,000 Sandhill cranes come to this very spot on the plains of Nebraska for the month of March. People from all over the world come to see this natural phenomenon and many say it is almost a religious experience!

The weather in Nebraska was still so cold this April (probably the coldest Spring on record) so we were fortunate to still be able to see a few remaining cranes flying over the Great Plains during our stay. The Crane Trust offers a VIP Experience where you can stay right on the property in well-appointed cottages and where they provide an up close adventure of the crane arrival on the Platte River. Peak viewing times are at sunrise and sunset and guests watch from a heated blind (my kind of dwelling!) for a once in a lifetime experience.

At Home on the Range ~

There were field trips offered the day prior to the conference and I chose The Bison Tour on the property of the Crane Trust – I was spellbound. For this brand new prairie adventure, I stood in 30 degree weather against a bone chilling wind, to get up close and personal with the bison bulls and bison cows.

We toured with the bison rancher and learned how important these animals were to the preservation of the prairie. The American Bison were re-introduced in this location by The Crane Trust as an “Important step in the long-term goals for managing the regions habitat and ecology for cranes and other migratory birds”. Who knew a city girl from Los Angeles would appreciate this experience as much as I did. Being that close to these majestic, historic beasts was such a treat!

At the Plains Safaris Conference there were speakers from Africa who shared their safari and ecotourism success as well as other local educators and tourism professionals. Here => You can watch the beautiful conference video and you will see someone you know! I was honored to be interviewed.

A Runza Run – What is that?

Runza is what IN N Out Burger is to those of us in Southern California. A treasured, local fast food chain that offers a unique “sandwich” or more like a burrito, filled with cabbage, unique spices and ground meat. Our local Nebraskan travel blogger friends were excited to share their favorite place for a quick and tasty meal.

Quick stop in Omaha ~

Although my primary purpose for traveling to Nebraska was to attend the conference, I was able to stay one night in Omaha and have a delicious meal and an awesome hand crafted cocktail. My first impression of Omaha was that it felt really fun & hip and the old downtown brick architecture is so appealing.

There is a baseball stadium right in downtown where they hold the famous College World Series every June. My husband Craig went to the series last year and enjoyed the immense tailgating and infectious enthusiasm for college baseball.

No post is complete without some foodie photos ~

Final thoughts about my trip to Nebraska

Do you know what attending this conference taught me? Stepping out of your comfort zone, having an open mind and willingness to find adventure can be an empowering feeling. Many asked why I was traveling to the Midwest – My question is… Why aren’t you?

There is a great big world out there full of different traditions, landscapes, indigenous animals, unique weather and local cuisine that should be discovered right here in the United States. Last year we traveled to Montana to see the Big Sky and all its glorious beauty and picture-postcard views. We loved it.

What have you discovered recently?

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